Gardner's Seven Intelligences

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oward Gardner's basic premise is that intelligence is not a single construct. Individuals have at least seven distinct intelligences that can be developed over a lifetime. The first objective is to learn to use the seven intelligences and the second is to discover that using different intelligences creates a deeper, richer and more varied approach to learning.

Verbal/Linguistic: The ability to use words effectively both orally and in writing. Sample skills are remembering information, convincing others to help, and talking about language itself. Musical: Sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, and melody. Sample skills are recognizing simple songs and being able to vary speed, tempo, and rhythm in simple melodies. Logical/Mathematical: The ability to use numbers effectively and reason well. Sample skills are understanding the basic properties of numbers, principles of cause and effect, and the ability to predict. Spatial/Visual: Sensitivity to form, space, color, line, and shape. Sample skills include the ability to graphically represent visual or spatial ideas.

Bodily/Kinesthetic: The ability to use the body to express ideas and feelings and to solve problems. Sample skills are coordination, flexibility, speed, and balance. Interpersonal: The ability to understand another person's moods, feelings, motivations, and intentions. Sample skills are responding effectively to other people, problem solving, and resolving conflict. Intrapersonal: The ability to understand yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, moods, desires, and intentions. Sample skills are understanding how one is similar or different from others, reminding oneself to do something, knowing about oneself as a language learner, and knowing how to handle one's feelings.

his is all very good, but how does it apply to our teaching? Let's identify the activities that we frequently use in our classes and categorize them. Verbal/Linguistic:  Note-taking  Listening to lectures  Reading books  Storytelling  Debates  Playing word games Musical:  Singing  Playing recorded music  Playing live music, (piano, guitar)  Clap the Stress  Jazz Chants Mathematical:  Science demonstrations and experiments  Logic puzzles and games  Seeing words inside words  Keeping track of simple word patterns  Story problems with numbers  Logical/sequential presentation of subject matter Spatial:  Using charts and grids  Videos, slides, movies  Using art  Using graphic organizers Kinesthetic:  Hands-on activities  Field trips  Role-plays Interpersonal:  Pair-work or peer teaching  Board games  Group brainstorming  Group problem solving  Project work Intrapersonal:  Activities with a self-evaluation component  Interest centers  Options for homework  Personal journal keeping

	hallenge Keep track of the activities in your classroom. See if you can branch out and in time, include some form of all seven of these intelligences.

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ESL Ministry

Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

1801 Lacassie Avenue  Walnut Creek  California 94596   925-935-1574

Joanne Rae Meads  jrmeads@worldnet.att.net

September 16, 1999